Life After MLM

In the conclusion of Amanda's story, we finish up the BITE model and talk about the artificial "mentorship" and friendships of MLM. Once she understood what was actually happening, she became fiercely protective of her groups outside of Amway and started to realize that this wasn't what she signed up for. Her and her husband decided that it was time to leave, and shortly after things began to chan...

Amanda and her husband were newly transplanted into Southern California for work, and looking for some mentorship and direction in life when she met a nice girl offering just that at a coffee shop. She was quickly swept up into the controlling nature of the oldest MLM in the world, Amway. Amanda and I talk about what life was like inside the cult, the BITE Model, and Amway's odd fixation on marrie...

In the early 1990's Skip Press was a newlywed with a son on the way, looking for an alternative to the freelance life he was currently living; the thought of a corporate job with consistent, steady pay was enticing. He was hired on as the new Communications Director, and placed in charge of the huge yearly convention for a HUGE Multi Level Marketing company with juicy secrets. Things started to ge...

Hey! A little call to action before we jump into this next story, I need your help! I am working on some ideas for future episodes, but I can't do it without you! Just hear me out hun, this could be an exciting opportunity for you! Afterwards, listen to the story of Belen, who was looking for friendship, confidence and community, but instead found gaslighting, manipulation and bullying from the sa...

CONTENT WARNING : In this episode, we break down the deceptive and dangerous dealings of Mr. "Doctor" Donald Gary Young, founder of Young Living. We talk about many things that may be triggering to people, including infanticide. Please listen at your own discretion. In the second half of Liz's story, we talk about the random cause and effect that lead to her ending her Herbalife business, her time...

When MLM found Liz, she was looking to up her game on the roller derby circuit. One of her derby friends reached out with a solution that answered of her problems, or so it seemed. Liz decided to go "all in" after a roller derby injury resulted in her losing her job as a cocktail waitress at a local casino. In this episode, we get deep into what it's like to sell Herbalife, what's the deal with th...

Josie and I finish up the BITE Model in part 2, diving into the Informational and Emotional control of commercial cults. Afterwards we discuss the DSA and politics in MLM, an inside perspective into those "free" perks, the culture and dynamics of the top of the pyramid, and a little personal chat and look into our lives outside of our Anti MLM advocacy efforts. Show Notes Steven Hassan's BITE Mode...

You asked, and we answered! In this bonus episode, I talk to AntiMLM Advocate, "Not the Good Girl", Josie Naikoi about her time in MLM as the Top 1%, and our favorite topic to ramble on about, the BITE model. Show Notes Not the Good Girl - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4DMThX0F-h6F1nzCbp6shw/featured Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan - https://amzn.to/3uLhYco "Because of Deanne" -...

As if his story in part one couldn't get any weirder, in part two Russ tells us about his experience of heading to a big ACN convention where Donald Trump, star of The Apprentice , would be speaking at. He recounts his trip, including fudge inspired doowop, and odd encounter with an employee in the lobby of McDonalds. We get deep into the celebrity and political affiliations with ACN, how men are...

In this episode, we get to meet our very first "BroBot", Russ Nielsen, who had an incredibly unbelievable experience in a serviced based MLM. In an effort to keep Russ motivated and "all in" with their scam, his upline kept pushing attending big events, even when he couldn't afford to go. Even with the strange and abusive treatment he received, the dopamine fueled parties kept Russ on the hook, ri...

In part 2, Robert and I finish up our analysis into the differences between MLMs and Pyramid Schemes, answer some questions from our listeners, discuss what the future of the Anti-MLM movement looks like and how to achieve the cohesive message that we both believe will change the future of how people view and understand Multi Level Marketing on a fundamental level. Show Notes: Ponzinomics by Rober...

This is the bonus episode I have been waiting to record forever! I always enjoy all my conversations with Robert, because he's so knowledgeable on this subject and we have a great time talking about swindles, scams, tricks and flimflams. After I finished reading Ponzinomics, I immediately emailed Robert and asked him if he would be willing to talk with me on the podcast about his chapter " Anatomy...

When MLM came knocking, Dina was a young newlywed. Even though she grew up with MLM all around her, she never actually fully experienced the insidous cult until she joined one. She felt like she couldn't talk about her experiences because of who had recruited her, but decided it was time to share her experiences about how ridiculous it all really was. We had A LOT of laughs while Dina recapped her...

In this bonus episode, I tackle the age old question of "How much can you make PER HOUR in MLM?" by analyzing 14 different MLM's Income Disclosure Statements, and using averages to find out. I take the annual average wages, divide by 12 to get the monthly figure, then divide by 80 hours a month for part time wages. I think the results may shock you. For comparison, we also talk about minimum wages...

In Part two, Lynzee and I spill A LOT of tea. We get into the nitty gritty details about our collective time in LuLaRoe and dish some gossip about what we experienced, including the LuLaRoe Cruise, what it's like to go to Mark and Deanne's house, the drama of the failed Noir launch and a couple juicy bits more. Lynzee shares her realization about the similarities she saw in Piphany, and what her "...

Lynzee Abel was a wide eyed, optimistic person who just wanted more for her life when she was first introduced to Multi Level Marketing in her teens. With her professional retail experience, she thought she could have an edge in the competitive industry. Once she saw the way MLMs worked from the inside, after being involved in FIVE of them, she decided enough was enough.  Show Notes My favorite An...

After tackling topics like cultural moray, the role of women in the LDS faith, and why Utah is rife with MLM's in part one, Ryan and I dive into "Big Pyramid", Mitt Romney's connections to MLM, the affinity fraud of Tahitian Noni Juice, the obsession of outrageous health claims and essential oils from a religious standpoint, and where your tithing really goes. This is Part 2. Show Notes: Truth and...

As the founder of Truth and Transparency, and a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, Ryan McKnight has a unique perspective into the culture and atmosphere of the Mormon faith. Paired with his understanding of Multi Level Marketing and the scam it perpetuates, Ryan and I have an in depth discussion into some of the reasons why many LDS members fall victims to thes...

The final part of Cat Dean's story comes to a close as we chat about the scary financial side of navigating an MLM, what to do when it's tax time, how to get yourself out a the hole you dug, and ways to start rebuilding your credit and savings. While Cat is not a professional financial advisor, she does offer a lot of good basic info that most MLM's conveniently leave out of the equation. Take wha...

I am beyond excited to share this bonus episode with you, because not only do I get to chat with my friend and fellow Anti-MLM warrior, but we're talking about my current obsession, Ponzinomics : The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing. And who better to discuss this with, other than Savy Leiser, our gay aunt from the 80's, Small Business Babe and creator of Savy Writes Books on YouTube! After f...

After wanting to take responsibility for her finances, and become financially literate, Cat Dean realized her MLM was hemorrhaging her cash flow. Armed with this new knowledge, she decided to learn how to manage debt, become "financially free" without the cult of MLM, and help others leaving these businesses with their long term money goals as well. Stay tuned for Part 2! Show Notes: Follow Cat on...

In our very first bonus episode, we talk with Haley O'Bryan, a therapist with a masters in counseling, a wide range of interest in social justic topics, and who did her masters theis on "Counseling Considerations for Clients with Experience in Multi-Level Marketing Companies and Similar Groups". Haley offers valuable insight into the harmful culture of MLM, the issues that come along with joining...

In our 4th episode of Life After MLM, we finish Katie's story about her time in LuLaRoe. She walks us though her refund process, the 100% buyback drama, the deep feelings of guilt she experienced when leaving MLM and the resulting mental health journey she had to take to find herself again. In Katie's speaking out, she finds the cathartic release and the resulting validation when people begin to r...

In the 3rd episode of Life After MLM, I talk to Katie Kastner, a special educator and freelance writer from the Midwest. Katie was in LuLaRoe at the same time I was, experienced eerily similar things, but saw "the rot" way before I could. Katie decided to leave LuLaRoe and speak out in print media, writing a scathing personal expose about her time in the cult. My conversation with Katie ran the ga...

In our second episode, I chat with Jessica Underwood-James, a professional aesthetician and makeup artist from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. After being in 3 different MLM's, she realized that this industry was much darker than it appeared from the outside. Now an Anti-MLM Advocate, Jess helps educate people on the dangers associated with Multi-Level Marketing. Don't forget to listen to her new Anti...